The last device I own that doesn’t run an open source operating system is an iPad. I basically use it as a laptop most of the time with a keyboard case, but I do like being able to take just the screen to use as a drawing/note-taking tablet. I treat it more like a “convertible” device rather than a tablet alone.
I’m not in a rush to replace it, iPadOS is, eh, usable, but there are things that get on my nerves often. I definitely wouldn’t be upgrading to another iPad model if this one died. I’m curious on what kind of hardware is available out there with good Linux support that I can keep in mind for the future. My only requirements would be that it runs normal Linux distros (ideally Fedora) and has a pen/display that supports pressure sensitivity.
The Minisforum V3 looks pretty damn cool. There’s also the Microsoft Surface devices that ironically seem popular with Linux users. Anyone have any experience with these kinds of devices? What do you think? What’s your favorite device in this class?
I recently picked up a Lenovo 7i 2-in-1 (I got the Intel Evo version due to a nice sale, but wanted AMD) and am currently dual booting with it. No issues with Ubuntu at all that I’ve encountered.
I haven’t tried it myself but the StarLite is a surface style convertible designed to run Linux, even shipping with the distribution of your choice right out of the box. And apparently it supports MPP pens. It’s not in the official specs but StarLabs is selling an active pen that’s “exclusively designed for the StarLite Mk V”
https://starlabs.systems/pages/starlite?shpxid=8d568063-b691-4a60-928b-f2a82c820093
I’m running Pop! OS on a Surface Pro 5 and it works pretty much flawlessly with the Linux Surface kernel installed. That said, 99% of the time I’m using it with the keyboard attached so I haven’t done much testing of it in ‘tablet mode’, nor with a stylus.